Arsenal vs. Sunderland

4-1, Premier League, Emirates Stadium, 22 February 2014
Giroud 5, 31,
Rosicky 42,
Koscielny 57

This was probably exactly what we needed at the moment, a confident and assuring win where we get to score a few goals and display some brilliant playing. Only minus is the fact that we did not keep a clean sheet, but considering the final result that can be overlooked for once!

The goalscoring began early, with the first goal coming merely five minutes into the game. Rosicky found Wilshere at the edge of the box and he played it to Olivier Giroud, who has been rested for a couple of games, and he fired the ball past Mannone in the Sunderland goal! On the other end Szczesny had to remain vigilant, even though we dominated the game with roughly 80% of possession, as a dangerous cross was swung into the box. At  the half-hour mark our tall French striker was at it again with his second goal of the game. Olivier Giroud sneaked in to intercept a pass from a defender towards Mannone, and put the ball into the back of the net with ease! As the half was drawing to a close we added another goal to the score-line, this time the previous goalscorer was the one to set it up as he, through a quick touch, played the ball back to Tomas Rosicky who, with a chip, got it over Mannone and into the back of the net! It looked quite classy!

Sunderland started the half quite good, and Szczesny had to make a decent save at the beginning of the half. Then a Sunderland clearance almost turned into an own goal, but went just wide. From the resulting corner, however, there was a goal! Laurent Koscielny met the the ball with a thundering header past Mannone! About midway through the half Gnabry was  brought on and he had a decent chance himself to score as he was released onto the goal, but Mannone made a good save. However, the final chances of the game went to Sunderland. First Sebastian Larsson fired a free-kick just wide of the top corner, then they did get one back right at the end through a long-distance shot that went in right by the post.

So slightly disappointing to let a goal in at the end, but when you've already scored four yourself there is no greater harm done! If we keep up this good form in the league we certainly still have a shot at bringing the league title to the Emirates!